Al Bennett - Democrat for for Judge, 61st Civil District Court

Judge Al Bennett of 61st District Court elected administrative judge over Harris County civil district courts

When Al Bennett (pictured) was elected the administrative judge over Harris County’s 24 civil district courts by a unanimous vote of his colleagues on Dec. 7, it represented a string of firsts. “I’m the first African-American to hold this position, and I’m the first Democrat to hold it in years, and I’m the youngest tenured judge to hold it,” says Bennett, judge of the 61st District Court. He succeeds former 295th District Court Judge Tracy Christopher, who was sworn in today as the newest justice on Houston’s 14th Court of Appeals after Gov. Rick Perry appointed her to that post. “I am truly honored and humbled by the support of my colleagues,” says Bennett, who won his district bench in 2008 after a slate of Democratic candidates pulled off a near sweep of Harris County trial court benches against Republicans in the general election. “I know that I have very big shoes to fill, and I’m going to do my very best to honor their trust,’’ Bennett says.